Near the End

As we end the year my mind hearkens back to the beginning of 2007 and all the memories between. It's been a year, just like yours I imagine. We went through a lot this year with a hard pregnancy (at least the first 3rd was hard) and a toddler. We turned our lives upsidedown over Labor Day as I bore our son into our family. We are sleep deprived but still making it to all our commitments like work and church. We now have a happy 4 month old little guy who is teething and a sweet and precocious 2 year old girl who is a joy and a source of laughter everyday. We have a house of our own, my husband has a good job, cars that are paid for, food for our table, clothes for our bodies and medical care for our illnesses. We are in a good way.

There are many I know who are in dire straights, or are mourning at this moment. I know others who face the uncertainty of cancer, some are recovering from surgery, some who face the daily "newness" of a spouse whose health has changed their future entirely. All of those women face their situations with strength from God, and with a faith that has been excercised in the everyday of their lives. I am so thankful for those women in my life and I wish I could change their pain into joy, and ashes to beauty.

I went on a trip recently and I realized I have looked back for too long. My little family needs my focus on the present and I need to make our life better here. "You can't go home" said my friend, and she was right. I am home and it's time for me to pursue our life here to the fullest in our little town, releasing those behind me who perhaps let go of me long ago. I was very sad for a few days about all this, but now I see it as a necessity. It's time, and that's alright. God always gives me a new song to sing in my heart for my future.

I hope your New Year is wonderful, full of growth, joy and a sincere faith in God.